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SHS 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame class chosen

SALEM — Four individual athletes and four state championship cross country teams comprise the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019.

The individuals are Harold “Woody” Deitch, Jr. (Class of 1959), boys basketball; Andrew “Andy” Smith (Class of 1997), boys soccer; Bryan Wright (Class of 2006), football; and Patrick Gorby (Class of 2007), cross country and track.

The four teams are the 2004 and 2005 boys cross country state championship teams and the 2005 and 2006 girls cross country state championship teams.

Frank Zamarelli has been selected to be honored with the Joe Kelley Spirit of Salem Award.

The induction dinner and ceremonies will be held Sept. 5, at the Salem Community Center. The event will mark the 15th anniversary of the Hall of Fame, an independent, nonprofit entity guided by a committee of local citizens.

Tickets to the dinner may be purchased for $30 at the Salem Community Center, 1098 N. Ellsworth Ave., or by phone at 330- 332-5885. Reservations will be accepted through Aug. 28 or until the event is sold out.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame are accepted from the public each year. A permanent display inside the main entrance of the Salem John A. Cabas gymnasium honors all inductees.

Following are career highlights of the 2019 selections, who will be also recognized at the home football game on Friday, Sept. 6:

Harold “Woody” Deitch, Jr.

(Class of 1959), boys basketball

Previously inducted posthumously into the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1959 boys basketball team (Class of 2006), Harold “Woody” Deitch, Jr. is now inducted as an individual.

As a junior, Deitch was the sixth man on Salem’s only regular season undefeated team (18-0) in 1957-58. The team finished with a final record of 20-1.

As a senior in 1958-59, Deitch was instrumental in the Quakers’ journey to state. The Hall of Fame Salem team finished Class AA State Runner-Up with a record of 25-2.

During his senior season, Deitch scored in double figures in all of the 26 games he played. (He missed one game due to injury.) In those 26 games he was the high scorer 14 times. He finished tournament play establishing a new school record for total points in a season, scoring 461 points.

A southpaw, the 6-1 forward was known for more than his shooting ability. Deitch was also known for his quickness — offensively, as a frequent leader of the fast break and defensively, as part of Salem’s devastating press.

In the regional finals victory against a previously undefeated Akron Central team, Deitch stole the ball three times for three layups. In that game he further displayed his defensive skill when defending future NBA star, 6-7 Nate Thurmond.

Deitch became Salem’s first All-Ohio (Class AA) boys basketball player when he was named to the second team. He was also the first from Salem to be selected to play in the North-South All- Star basketball game.  Other honors included being named first team All-State Tournament and team MVP by the Jaycees.

Deitch rejected several basketball scholarship offers from larger schools (including Ohio State), opting instead to attend the smaller Chapman College, located in Orange, CA. There, he was the starting point guard in every game for three seasons. He was also competitive on the Panthers’ tennis team and achieved an undefeated doubles record his senior year. After earning his BA in physical education, he returned to Salem and assisted with the basketball program for a short time.

He served in the army from 1967 to 1969 and participated on the military basketball teams at Fort Ord, CA, and in Germany.  Deitch returned to Chapman College where he served as the sports information director from 1972 until 1980.

Woody, the son of the late Rev. Harold (Salem First Christian Church) and Velma Deitch, passed away from leukemia in 1980 at the age of 39. Shortly after his death, he was elected to the Chapman Athletics Hall of Fame.

In the book “Love Those Quakers: The Road to Columbus,” an inside view of Salem’s journey to the Ohio State Basketball Championship game in 1958-59, author and teammate Dave Hunter wrote,“Woody was a free spirit who just loved being on the basketball court. His enthusiasm and offbeat sense of humor were infectious. Coach Cabas referred to him as our ‘ambassador’ on and off the court.”

Similar sentiments were echoed in the Chapman College 1964 yearbook: “Chapman will not again see a person who can color the game with his antics and develop sportsmanship as Woody has.”

Andrew “Andy” Smith

(Class of 1997), boys soccer

Andrew “Andy” Smith earned a number of accolades and honors throughout his playing career as a member of the Salem High School boys soccer team. He can now add “Hall of Famer” to the list as he is the first boys soccer player in school history to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

The 1997 graduate was a four-year letter winner. As a sophomore, he was selected as the team’s offensive player of the year. He was also selected first team All-District (Division I), All-MAC, and All-Tri County in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

As a senior, he served as a team co-captain and was selected as the team MVP. His success on the pitch earned him third team All-Ohio status and district player of the year runner-up honors. Upon graduation, Smith was the school’s all-time leader in career assists, assists in a season, goals in a season, and goals in a game.

His success as a Quaker led to an amazing career at the University of Findlay (OH). As an Oiler, Smith was a four-year starter. His 72 appearances ranked third on the school’s all-time games list. As both a sweeper and a forward, he was one of only two Oilers to be selected to the first team All-GLIAC three times (in 1997, 1998, and 1999). He was voted second team All-GLIAC in 2000.

In 2001, Smith graduated from the University of Findlay with a degree in psychology. Currently residing in Tampa Bay, Florida, Smith is a self-employed home remodeler.

Andrew, the son of Vicki and the late Bill Smith, joins two of his 1997 classmates, Sarah Fennema and Abigail Hill-Berkman, as the only soccer players inducted into the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bryan Wright

(Class of 2006), Football

As a kicker and overall team leader for the Quaker football team in the 2004 and 2005 seasons (the first back-to-back winning seasons since 1972 and 1973), 2006 graduate Bryan Wright could do no wrong.

During his junior campaign in 2004, Wright made 30 of 32 PAT’s and successfully converted six-of-seven field goal attempts to help the Quakers achieve their first winning season (6-4) since 1997. His on the field achievements earned him first team All-Metro Athletic Conference, All-Northeast Ohio, and All-State in Division III.

Heading into his senior season, Wright was already capturing the eye of many collegiate Division I football programs. As a senior, Wright made seven-of-eleven field goals, but those four misses were all attempts from over 48 yards.

On Oct. 14, 2005, in a 17-13 loss to Poland at Reilly Stadium, Wright nailed a career long 57-yarder, which was the second longest field goal in the history of Ohio high school football at the time. (In 2019 it now stands as fifth best).

The senior kicker converted 39 of 41 PAT’s and also served as the Quaker punter, averaging 40 yards per boot.

An honor student in the classroom, Wright was selected as a WYTV33 Student-Athlete of the Week and WFMJ21 Athlete of the Week during his senior year in recognition of his athletic and academic achievements.

At season’s end, he earned first team honors for the second year in a row at the conference, Northeast Ohio, and state levels. Wright finished up his prep career by playing in both the Ohio North-South All-Star Game and the Penn-Ohio All-Star Game.

Listed as the 12th best high school kicker in the nation according to rivals.com, Wright accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Michigan, choosing the Wolverines and head coach Lloyd Carr over schools such as Ohio State, Cincinnati, Pitt, and Bowling Green.

While at Michigan, Wright was a three-year letterman and a two-year starter handling kickoff duties. As the kickoff specialist, he appeared in 28 career games and had 23 total touchbacks.

Upon graduating from Michigan with a sociology degree in 2010, Wright had an extra year of athletic eligibility. Despite a lingering back injury, he decided to play football and attend graduate school at Bowling Green State University.

As a Falcon, Wright played in all of the team’s 12 games and earned second-team All-MAC honors as both a punter and kicker. The senior averaged over 40 yards per punt and pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line 22 different times. As a kicker, he made four-of-nine field goals and 17 of 19 PAT’s.

Wright earned his postgraduate degree in athletic administration. Bryan, the son of Jody Wright and the late Bob Wright, currently resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife, Susan (Mainwaring), also a 2006 graduate of Salem High School. He serves as an owner and operator of Massage Green Spas and the Red Effect Infrared Fitness Center, a chain of spas and gyms, respectively, located throughout the United States. Bryan is the first member of the Class of 2006 to be inducted into the SHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Patrick Gorby

(Class of 2007), cross country and track

In his final race as a Salem Quaker, Patrick Gorby crossed the finish line a state champion. Prior to that momentous day, the 2007 Division II 800-meter champion had an illustrious running career, earning four varsity letters in both track and cross country.

In the fall, Gorby earned Division II All-Ohio honors three times in cross country and was a key member of both state champion cross country teams as a sophomore and junior. As a senior, he finished 12th individually at the state meet with a time of 16:16.

In the spring, Gorby found even more success on the track. He was a member of two all-state 4 x 800 relay teams in 2005 and 2006. The 2005 team, consisting of Gorby, Aiman Scullion, Paul Shivers, and Lance Murphy, earned a third place finish at the Division II state track meet with a time of 7:57.01. In 2006, Gorby, Scullion, Shivers, and Mike Downs, raced to a fifth place finish with a time of 8:07.06.

As a senior, Gorby took his running abilities to the next level. He won the 3,200 meter run at the East Palestine Ward Invitational with a time of 9:41.10, 15 seconds faster than his closest competitor. As the season progressed, Gorby continued to grow stronger and faster. On May 1, 2007, Gorby set the Columbiana County meet record (which still holds today) in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:57.26.

In his quest to the state meet, Gorby simultaneously set the overall Division II state record and regional meet record in the 800-meter run with an incredible time of 1:52.48. His historic run eclipsed the 1:52.73 time run by Rob Myers (Lancaster Fairfield Union) in 1999. Furthermore, Gorby ran his best race without his trusted watch. Although he was not able to look at the time of his splits, he was still able to set a state record.

With a huge target on his back, Gorby set his sights on a state title. Gorby led for most of the second lap until Ironton junior Marc Carter closed in over the final 200 meters. However, the Quaker standout dug deep and crossed the finish line first, almost equaling his state record time from the previous week, with a time of 1:52.76 to win the 800-meter state championship.

After graduating as one of the most decorated runners in Salem High School history, the 2007 graduate chose to attend Kent State University and ran for three seasons on both the cross country and indoor/outdoor track teams. As a red-shirt freshman, Gorby’s top highlight was finishing fifth at the 2008 Indoor MAC Championship meet in the men’s 800 meters with a time of 1:58.01.

Gorby earned both a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and a master’s degree in public health from Kent State University. More recently, Gorby graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mount Union in May.

Patrick, the son of Hal and Rhonda Gorby, is, at least for now, the youngest member of the Salem High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

2004 Boys Cross Country

State Championship Team

The 2004 boys cross country season was superb from start to finish. The team won outright titles at the Salem Early Bird Invitational, Columbiana County Meet, Metro Athletic Conference Meet, Sim Earich Invitational, and Division II district meet, and it was runner-up at regionals.

At the state meet, the top five runners finished in the top 20 overall. Aiman Scullion (16:41) led the way finishing sixth, followed by Patrick Gorby (16:47) ninth, Paul Shivers (16:54) 10th, Isaac Newton (17:11) 17th, and Michael Overholser (17:15) 19th.

The team’s dominant state champion performance of 61 total points easily outpaced the 109 total points of state runner-up Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit. The average time of the top five Salem runners was 16:58.

Ryan Griffith (71st), Matt Yanek (74th), Josh Matthews (alternate), and Joe Shivers (alternate) were the other individuals who participated on the state cross country team. The Quakers were coached by Mike Almond and Rick Wilson.

2005 Boys Cross Country

State Championship Team

With five returning runners from their 2004 state champion team, the 2005 Quakers had one goal in mind: Do it again.

Despite having several runners go down with injuries, Coach Rick Wilson kept the team together to achieve numerous victories that defied the odds. The team once again won the Salem Early Bird Invitational, Columbiana County Meet, MAC Championship, and districts. They finished second at the Sim Earich Invitational and third at regionals.

The senior-laden squad, along with lone junior Patrick Gorby, showed poise and ran a tremendous race on the state’s biggest stage. The Quakers were once again led by Scullion and a fifth place (16:22) finish. Right behind him was Paul Shivers (16:37) seventh, Gorby (16:38) eighth, Overholser (17:28) 25th, and Mike Downs (17:29) 27th.

The Quakers’ total of 72 points was good enough to defeat Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (80 points) and win back-to-back state championships. The average time of the five runners was 16:55. Ryan Griffith (68th), Justin Roberts (69th), and Joe Shivers (alternate) rounded out the 2005 state champion team.

2005 Girls Cross Country

State Championship Team

At the beginning of the 2005 cross country season, the Salem girls had similar aspirations as their male teammates: Win a state championship. Head Coach Mary Wilson and her multi-talented squad featuring both youth and experience did just that.

Along the way the team earned seven first place finishes at the Salem Early Bird Invitational, Columbiana County Meet, Metro Athletic Conference Meet, Sim Earich Invitational, Division II districts, regionals, and most importantly, the state meet.

Salem became state champions by scoring 60 points at the state meet with all five scoring runners finishing in the top 25. The Quakers defeated second place Kettering Archbishop Alter by 12 points, despite Alter having four runners finish in the top 15.

Salem was led by the fifth and sixth place finishes of freshman Alexis Thorne and senior Deirdre Clary (19:40). Right behind them in 10th place was sophomore Liz Shivers (19:58), followed by sophomore Sarah Yerkey (20:16) 17th, and freshman Lauren Shivers (20:28) 22nd.

The Quakers were so dominant that although junior Erin Murphy (20:31) finished 24th, she was not able to contribute to the overall team score because scoring is based on the team’s top five runners. Other members of the state champion cross country team were senior Kimberly Kenst (79th), junior Kathy Ellis (alternate), and senior Veronica Waite (alternate).

2006 Girls Cross Country

State Championship Team

Entering the 2006 season, the girls cross country team once again wanted to emulate the boys teams from the previous two years by winning back-to-back state championships. With a team consisting of only six runners, many considered another state title to be a long shot.

Coached again by Mary Wilson, the team won nearly every meet they entered. This included the Salem Early Bird Invitational, Malone Invitational, Columbiana County Meet, Sim Earich Invitational, Clippers Invitational, and Metro Athletic Conference Meet.

The lone non-first place finish was a third place finish at the Midwest Meet of Champions, which featured many Division I teams.

Their continued success earned them first place finishes at both the district and regional meets. Upon reaching state, the Quakers ran toe-to-toe once again with Archbishop Alter. And for the second consecutive year, Salem narrowly defeated Alter (70 to 73), capturing back-to-back state championships.

Erin Murphy (19:13), coming up short in the scoring column in the year prior, found herself at the top among the Quaker runners with a seventh place overall finish. She was followed by teammates Liz Shivers (19:26) 10th, Lauren Shivers (19:30) 12th, Bethany Huston (19:39) 16th, and Sarah Yerkey (20:00) 25th to round out the scoring for Salem. Alexis Thorne (40th) was the sixth and final member of the Quaker squad. The average time of those competing at the state meet was 19:34.

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